Fox Gears Up For SOTU By Questioning Obama's Sincerity

Leading up to President Obama's State of the Union address, Fox & Friends repeatedly questioned Obama's sincerity by asking, "What's behind his move to the center?" and claiming that he's trying "to make sure he gets re-elected," because "he understands that's the popular thing to do." Fox & Friends also repeatedly asked if "the American people [will] buy what he sells" in the speech.

Kilmeade Asks, "What's Behind The President Moving To The Middle?" On the January 25 edition of Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade asked, "As we look at the speech today, you got to wonder why the president, and what is behind the president moving to the middle on many different issues and many different appointments." Kilmeade concluded, "You realize the president has shifted stances as he gets set to run for re-election in 2012." Later in the segment, Kilmeade asked viewers, "What do you think is behind the president's move to the center? Do you really believe he's moved to the center, changed stances, learning on the job, or do you think he's doing it to make sure he gets re-elected and he understands that's the popular thing to do? Is his heart in it?" [Fox News' Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Carlson Claims There Is "Debate" About "Whether Or Not He Believes Within His Heart These Centrist Feelings." Later in the segment, co-host Gretchen Carlson played a clip of Fox News host Bill O'Reilly saying, "If the election were held today, I believe Mr. Obama would be a one-term president." Carlson responded by saying: "So that's why he's changing his tune. But so much of the debate has been whether or not he believes within his heart these centrist feelings, or is he just doing it purely to get re-elected?" [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Carlson: "Do You Really Believe That He Believes These Policies ... After The Way He Governed For The First Two Years?" In an interview with former Bush White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, Carlson asked, "Do you really believe that [Obama] has centrist values now? Do you really believe that he believes these policies he's talking about after the way he governed for the first two years?" Fleischer responded in part by saying, "My view is he is very comfortable being an ideological, dogmatic liberal. But he also wants to be successful. And I think that drives him more than anything else, especially going into a re-election year." [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Doocy: "President Obama Is Moving To The Center. Does He Mean It? Is This What You Do To Get Re-elected?" Later in the program, co-host Steve Doocy claimed: "When President Obama takes to the podium on Capitol Hill tonight, all indications point to a shift to the political center. He's been way to the left, now to the center." Later in the segment, Doocy asked radio host Tom Leykis, "President's moving to the center. Does he mean it? Or is this just what you do to get re-elected?" Leykis responded, "Of course it's what you do to get re-elected!" [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Carlson Teases Segment: "Is President Obama Making A Move To The Center, Or Looking Towards 2012?" In a tease for an upcoming segment with White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, Carlson asked: "Is President Obama making a move to the center? Or looking towards 2012?" [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Fox & Friends Repeatedly Asks If The American People Will "Buy What" Obama "Sells"

Carlson: "Are The American People Buying What The President Is Selling?" During the show, Carlson repeatedly played a clip of Obama saying, "I would rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president." At one point she teased an upcoming segment by asking, "All signs point to President Obama gearing up for a second term, but what happened to this spot?" and playing the clip. Carlson then asked, "So are the American people buying what the president is saying?" [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Carlson: "Will The American People Buy What [Obama] Sells?" Later in the show, Carlson again aired the clip of Obama saying, "I would rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president." After the clip aired, she asked, "Will the American people buy what President Obama sells in tonight's State of the Union address? We'll debate it for you." [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

Doocy: "Are The American People Buying Obama's Move To The Center?" Doocy introduced the show's "Radio Rumble" segment by playing a clip of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell saying, "The president is pivoting and we all know why," and responded by asking, "But are the Americans buying Obama's move toward the center?" [Fox & Friends, 1/25/11]

ABOUT OUR RESEARCH

Our research section features in-depth media analysis, original reports illustrating skewed or inadequate coverage of important issues, thorough debunking of conservative falsehoods that find their way into coverage and other special projects from Media Matters' research department.

Right-wing media outlets are parroting the attacks of an anti-LGBTQ hate group on Connecticut’s openly gay comptroller, Kevin Lembo. Lembo recently sent the American Family Association (AFA) a letter asking the group to submit written documentation certifying it complies with the nondiscrimination regulations governing the Connecticut State Employee Campaign for Charitable Giving (CSEC), which allows Connecticut State employees to contribute to qualifying non-profit charities through payroll deductions. Lembo’s office has since been “flooded” with emails and phone calls from AFA supporters.